diff --git a/monkey/infection_monkey/exploit/smbexec.py b/monkey/infection_monkey/exploit/smbexec.py
index 16ea4d0e1..d8d10bd57 100644
--- a/monkey/infection_monkey/exploit/smbexec.py
+++ b/monkey/infection_monkey/exploit/smbexec.py
@@ -148,16 +148,16 @@ class SMBExploiter(HostExploiter):
                 else:
                     # failed exploiting with this user/pass
                     self.report_login_attempt(False, user, password, lm_hash, ntlm_hash)
-                    message = f"Failed to login using SMB with {creds_for_log}"
-                    self._publish_exploitation_event(timestamp, False, error_message=message)
+                    error_message = f"Failed to login using SMB with {creds_for_log}"
+                    self._publish_exploitation_event(timestamp, False, error_message=error_message)
 
             except Exception as exc:
-                message = (
+                error_message = (
                     f"Error while trying to copy file using SMB to {self.host.ip_addr} with "
                     f"{creds_for_log}:{exc}"
                 )
-                logger.error(message)
-                self._publish_exploitation_event(timestamp, False, error_message=message)
+                logger.error(error_message)
+                self._publish_exploitation_event(timestamp, False, error_message=error_message)
                 continue
 
         return remote_full_path, SelectedCredentials(user, password, lm_hash, ntlm_hash), timestamp
@@ -245,8 +245,8 @@ class SMBExploiter(HostExploiter):
             self._publish_propagation_event(start_time, True)
             status = ScanStatus.USED
         except Exception:
-            message = "Failed to start the service"
-            self._publish_propagation_event(start_time, False, error_message=message)
+            error_message = "Failed to start the service"
+            self._publish_propagation_event(start_time, False, error_message=error_message)
             status = ScanStatus.SCANNED
 
         self.telemetry_messenger.send_telemetry(T1035Telem(status, UsageEnum.SMB))